Curriculum Information
III Group
Year 9
The School follows a two-week, 50 period timetable.
Each period is one hour long.
Students are taught in mixed ability group settings except for mathematics, English and science where groups are set based on ability. Below you will find a summary of the main topics covered in III Group, the name of the Head of Subject and the number of periods students have of each subject per fortnight.
In III Group homework is set for up to 90 minutes per night (with up to 45 minutes per individual subject task.)
Below you will find a summary of the main topics covered in III Group, the name of the Head of Subject and an indication of the number of periods students have of each subject per fortnight.
Hours per subject over two-week timetable
English
Amy Anderson 7 periods
Head of Department
The III Group course builds on the skills acquired in I and II Group (Years 7 and 8) and prepares the students for the reading, writing and speaking skills needed for their forthcoming GCSEs. They study a range of challenging textsMacbeth, Frankenstein and Of Mice and Men - which allows students to develop their skills of analysis and
interpretation. Students study a range of non-fiction texts and extracts which link to the themes and issues raised in the core texts. Emphasis is also placed on producing extended pieces of writing that reflect the demands of the GCSE course in IV Group (Year 10), thus making the transition to this next stage easier and more successful. Finally, students study a unit on spoken language. Among other elements, they explore accent and dialect, speechmaking, body language and the power dynamics within spoken language.
Mathematics
Ed
Commodore-Mensah 7 periods
III Group is an important transition year into the GCSE mathematics (Pearson Edexcel) curriculum. Students build on topics introduced in II and III Group. There is a greater emphasis on communicating how answers are achieved developing annotations to supplement their written calculations. Links between topics are made; when solving problems students are expected to apply and use a variety of mathematical skills. Students focus on topics that are common in both the Foundation and Higher GCSE syllabus. Basic trigonometry (sohcahtoa) is introduced this year. Higher attaining students are introduced to some topics that appear only in Higher Tier such as recurring decimals to fractions use of surds etc. Sparx Maths is used for homework and independent learning.
Science
Andrew Lambie 7 periods
Number of periods over two weeks
In III Group students commence their AQA GCSE course across all three sciences. Students are set according to ability and cover the Trilogy (Combined Science) material across the year group. End of topic tests are carried out each half term. Group settings are flexible and are decided in conjunction with all three science teachers and the Head of Department.
Biology: The focus in biology is topics on cells, enzymes, the heart, lungs and digestion including food tests.
Chemistry: The focus in chemistry is on the topics of separating mixtures, history and structure of the atom (including ions, isotopes and balancing equations), the Periodic Table (including Groups 1 and 7), structure and bonding.
Physics: The focus in physics is on energy and the Particle Theory of Matter. Students are introduced to a number of equations that are required in their GCSE examinations at the end of V Group (Year 11). We practice selecting the appropriate equation for a scenario alongside manipulating the equation to calculate different variables.
Geography
Charlotte
Leeke 3 periods
In III Group students start to cover the Geography GCSE. They explore a range of 'big questions' related to both human and physical geography as listed below:
• Why are some countries more developed than others? (Development Dynamics)
• Are there enough resources to go round? (People and the Biosphere)
• Why are the world’s forests under threat? (Forests Under Threat)
• Is a future free of fossil fuels really achievable? (Consuming Energy Resources)
• How should the Cambodian government deal with the issue of deforestation? – GCSE style decision making exercise
History
Becca
Toepfer 3 periods
In III Group students explore the campaign for Women's Suffrage, the First World War, the Second World War and the Holocaust. It is a twentieth century study that includes an optional (but popular!) Battlefields Trip to the Somme. The aim of the course is for students to be able to explain the causes and consequences of historical events and create hierarchies of importance. For example, students evaluate the different causes of the wars and their impacts on society. Students work with a broad range of materials, with lots of source work and literacy skills.
French
Cyrille Simon 3 periods
Students communicate in French and gain an active awareness of the language and the culture in general. The emphasis is on the four core skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, preparing for the requirements of the GCSE course. Students are expected to produce extended, challenging and imaginative pieces of written work. Extended passages of French are expected to be understood in texts and on recordings. Students follow the course 'Allez 2' and the AQA GCSE Foundation course. Topics covered include: media and entertainment, new technologies, health, local area and environment and the world of work.
Spanish
Cyrille Simon 2 periods
IIII Group Spanish students expand their vocabulary and reinforce the basic structures of the language. The emphasis is on the four core skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, preparing for the requirements of the GCSE course. Students follow the course 'Zoom 2' and the AQA GCSE Foundation course. The following topics are covered during the year: Family and friends; comparisons; food shopping; eating out; prices; clothes and types of shops; holidays and places of interest; opinions and health; the world of work; environment and cultural information about Spanish speaking countries. We encourage the use of IT both in class and at home, with Quizlet, linguascope and languagesonline our preferred platforms.
Drama
Hollie Sparrow 2 periods
In III group students begin to examine world theatre and how it has influenced our culture. Students also learn about how drama is used to explore issues and ideas. There is emphasis on performing to a live audience and students are taught how to discuss their work using more sophisticated technical vocabulary. During the academic year students learn to work collaboratively with others to create new ideas and to explore and evaluate a variety of drama texts. We also focus on the development of social skills such as offering
ideas, sharing thoughts to overcome problems and listening to others.
Art
Emma Semple 2 periods
Students practise the observational drawing of the figure in a variety of drawing media and learn formal elements and techniques such as proportion and tonal drawing. They subsequently develop their work into paint and clay, particularly studying the work of Matisse. In the second and third terms they are taught to structure and develop their own student-led projects based on chosen themes and artists. This process helps them to build the confidence needed to begin to develop their own creative voice. They have the opportunity to work in the media of their choice from a wide range of options including painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, video and textiles.
3D Design
Gavin Fraser-Williams 2 periods
In III group, students work on developing key practical, creative, analytical and design skills before considering GCSE choices. The first project is advanced metal based, and takes students from initial exploration of ideas at quarter scale using direct modelling with aluminium wire, through to a full scale MIG welded steel candle holder. The second, and final project at Key Stage Three, pulls together prior learning, and gives all students
the opportunity to use the full range of materials and techniques available in the workshop – producing a “fast food” vehicle which is raced against peers at the end of term. With some students not continuing to 3D Design at GCSE level, we aim to ensure that all students have used III Group to develop their wider independence, problem solving, team working and decision making skills - alongside subject specific designing and making skills needed by those who do continue with 3D Design as an exam subject in IV Group.
Music
Ann-Marie Knight 2 periods
During the year students are encouraged to gain confidence, understanding and enjoyment through a variety of listening and practical activities. Lessons are predominately practical music-making sessions, where singing is encouraged and all students have access to musical instruments. Group work, performance and sharing of ideas occur regularly. Creating a band and centring learning on positive self-directed tasks is a key feature. Projects include “variations” (continuing Western classical structures), film and TV, popular songs and the music business and marketing alongside creating a cover song and music video.
Games
Lyn McGregor 3 periods
The main focus of PE and Games lessons in III Group is to apply the core skills developed in younger years, with greater accuracy and consistency in open game situations or link them effectively into sequences. As the students move through the III Group more emphasis is put on independent learning: this is often demonstrated through the use of reciprocal teaching and a greater emphasis is placed on selfanalysis and analysing peers.
In the autumn and spring terms, students are taught volleyball and health related fitness. Games include netball, football and basketball as these sports form our main team game league fixtures with other schools. There are competitions in other sports too, including our annual Inter-House Sports Day and Inter-House Cross-Country.
In the summer term, all students are taught tennis, athletics and striking and fielding games including cricket and rounders (and these form our main team games league fixtures at this time of year).
We aim to promote an ethos of personal excellence (including having opportunities to participate in a competitive setting); an understanding of health-related fitness and its pivotal role in a healthy and active lifestyle; as well as a life-long enjoyment of physical activity.
PSHE
Lizzie Hedderson
1 Company Time, 1 period and 2 Drop-Down Days
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education includes three main themes which are each taught twice a year: health and wellbeing; careers and finance; and relationships. In III Group, students explore healthy and unhealthy friendships and assertiveness. We cover goal setting as part of the GCSE options process. The unit on respectful relationships includes families and conflict resolution. Healthy lifestyles
looks at a balanced approach to diet, exercise and wellbeing and includes some first aid training. Peer Influence and Drugs is taught as a drop-down day and includes how to manage peer pressure and risks associated with substances. Intimate relationships is also taught as a drop down day and includes consent, contraception and attitudes to pornography.
Computer Science
Adam Eldin 2 periods
III Group students spend time designing and then developing a text adventure game using Python, capturing data and then analysing it using Microsoft Excel, and finally they look at topical issues surrounding computing, including fake news and games addiction.
Carousel Subjects
Cookery, Philosophy and Ethics, and Critical Thinking are taught in rotation across the year in approximately six week blocks. Students study one of the three subjects for one lesson per week (approximately 18 periods per year). Nat Baker, Deputy Head
Food and Nutrition
Becky Belson 2 periods
III Group Food and Nutrition lessons cover some areas of the GCSE curriculum. Students alternate between theory and practical cooking sessions every week. This is the format for the GCSE lessons so allows students to experience this style of lesson. In practical cookery, the students build upon skills learnt in I and II Group (Year 7 and 8).
Students make a wide range of nutritional dishes including veggie chilli, fresh pasta, sweet and sour vegetables and choux pastry. These lessons help students build up a basic knowledge of food and nutrition, understand how to work safely in a kitchen and how to prepare and enjoy freshly made food.
Philosophy and Ethics
Lizzie Hedderson 2 periods
In philosophy and ethics, students explore challenging and thought-provoking questions using the community of enquiry model. This begins by sitting in a circle, to develop speaking and listening skills, and progresses by using philosophical dialogue to both ask and attempt to answer puzzling questions. Topics include 'Can we know anything for certain?', 'What is a good life?' and 'What is happiness?'. Through discussion, students are able to create their own measured responses and consider how their thoughts are similar and different to others, developing their critical analysis and evaluative skills.
Critical Thinking
Tabitha Bennett 1 lesson
every week
Critical Thinking encourages students to examine the difference between fact and opinion, and misinformation and disinformation. In our digital age in which social media platforms are increasingly used as one's main source of information, it is very important that students learn the skills to think critically about the information presented to them, and apply logic and reasoning when they are forming judgements and opinions. The course also explores many cross curricular links, such as using English Literature when exploring narrative representations of disinformation in society (via George Orwell's '1984'), and History when exploring ancient examples of disinformation ad propaganda (spanning from the Roman Empire to the Second World War). They also augment their philosophical skills by applying their critical thinking to debate topics such as; the ethics of war, the death penalty, the extent to which religion is a force for good in society, and whether human nature is intrinsically good or evil. As a result, students are able to confidently navigate sources of information and determine informed views about the world around them.
Options
Emma Roskilly 2 periods
On a Thursday afternoon all students in the Senior School participate in the Options programme. Every five weeks they are able to select an activity from a list of about 25 different Options to participate in. This is an opportunity to spend extra time pursuing a passion, or to try out new things and take on new challenges. Options are varied and everchanging but recent popular Options include debate, animal care, go-karting, football, recycled fashion, musical theatre, robotics, Warhammer and many, many more!
Company Time Company Adviser
Every morning
Three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) there is an extended time with company advisers from 8.309.00am. Companies follow a programme of activities made up of PSHE activities, organisational strategies, careers guidance and study skills. In addition, there are bespoke sessions covering social and emotional learning topics, mental health and wellbeing, and online safety. These extended periods can also be used as a time for self-reflection and target setting, following key reporting times such as Interim Reports or Parents’ Consultations. Twice a week (on a Monday and a Friday morning) following a shorter Company time, students attend Morning Talk; this is time to listen to a thought provoking talk on a topical item in the news or related to the time of year.